Triumph
Bonneville T120 Gallery

Triumph announced
the ultimate expression of Edward Turner's 650cc
pre unit twin in September 1958 ready for the
1959 season. Named the Bonneville in recognition
of Triumph's record breaking success at the
salt flats of the same name, the new machine
replaced the Tiger 110 at the head of the sporting
Triumph range. The significant difference between
it and the Tiger 110 concerned the cylinder
head which was fed by two carburettors on splayed
inlets together with a higher compression ratio,
resulting in a claimed 46bhp.

The 1960 season machines adopted a new duplex
frame and lighter styling, losing the headlamp
nacelle and partially valanced mudguards which
had graced the 1959 models, with further detail
revisions to the frame occurring for the 1961
model season.

For the 1971 season Triumph announced a considerably
revised range of 650cc twins consisting of the
TR6R Tiger, TR6C Trophy and the T120R Bonneville,
the first machine effectively replaced the single
carburettor Trophy model, whilst the TR6C Trophy
catered for those seeking a "street scrambler"
style machine. The T120R Bonneville continued
as the sporting model in the range with equipment
to suit. The most noticeable change to the range
was the adoption of the Umberslade Hall designed,
oil bearing frame fitted with"slimline"
internally sprung forks and revised alloy conical
hubs, the front being equipped with a twin leading
shoe brake. The following season saw the range
being reduced with the deletion of the Trophy
TR6C and the option of a five speed gearbox
and 744cc engine becoming available for the
Tiger and Bonneville. For the 1973 season a
disc brake option became standard as did the
five speed gearbox, although the Meriden "sit-in"
resulted in very few "1973" season
machines leaving the factory, the majority of
the production being to the 1972 season specification.

Bike

Image

Description

Triumph T120 Bonneville

Engine - air-cooled 649cc parallel
twin

Horsepower - 46bhp @ 6500rpm (later
51bhp @ 7100rpm)

Top Speed - 110mph

Frame - tubular twin cradle

Transmission - 4 speed (later 120V:
5 speed)

Launched - 1963-1972

Brakes - drum/drum

Picture kindly provided by www.vintagebike.co.uk

1958 Triumph Bonneville

No39, built Sep 5th 1958.

1958 Triumph T120 Bonneville Combination

Fitted with a Streamliner fairing and
the previously mentioned Watsonian Monza
sports sidecar both finished in matching
livery it has an imposing presence and
will no doubt be the centre of attention
at any motorcycle gathering and will be
guaranteed admiration from all.

For occasions when a solo mount is the
choice of the day a suitably prepared
front mudguard is included to allow conversion
back to a solo configuration.

When you think of the top 60's Classic
bikes, the 61 Bonnie is joint top of the
list along with Rocket Goldies, Goldies
& 650SS Nortons. Arguably the Bonneville
was the fastest, strongest and prettiest
of them all! That's why it has achieved
such iconic status!

1961 Triumph Bonneville T120

650cc, 46bhp.

1961 Triumph T120 Bonneville

Triumph announced the ultimate expression
of Edward Turner's 650cc pre unit twin in
September 1958 ready for the 1959 season.
Named the Bonneville in recognition of Triumph's
record breaking success at the salt flats
of the same name, the new machine replaced
the Tiger 110 at the head of the sporting
Triumph range.

The T120 Bonneville is for many Triumph
enthusiasts the ultimate - having accepted
this fact we must proceed to selecting the
ultimate year of manufacture, which is of
course down to the individual, and judgement
may finally made with a number of criteria
in mind.

1966 Triumph Bonneville 650 T120R

1966 Triumph T120C

1966 Triumph T120TT

1966 Triumph Bonneville T120 650cc

1966 Triumph Bonneville T120

650cc

1967 Triumph Bonneville T120

1968 Triumph Bonneville 650 T120R

1968 Triumph Bonneville TR120R

1969 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer T120R

1969 Triumph T120 Bonneville

Arguably one of the prettiest variants
of the Bonneville model, the 1969 season
machines were marked by only detail changes.
New tank badges, rear shock absorbers
with exposed springs and a revised exhaust
system featuring a balance pipe adjacent
to the cylinder were the most obvious
changes. However, perhaps the most significant,
at least in terms of engine life were
the replacement of the oil pressure indictor
"button" with a warning light
that also served as an ignition light
and the introduction of air filters, a
first for the model.

Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.

1969 Triumph Bonneville T120

1969 Triump

1970 Triumph Bonneville 650 T120R

1970 Triumph T120 Bonneville

Triumph were the dominant manufacturer
in production racing throughout the sixties
utilising tuned versions of their already
potent Bonneville model to good affect.
A "Thruxton" Bonneville had
been marketed between 1964 and 1965 incorporating
a large number of the optional performance
parts as standard. In theory these parts
were available to anyone wishing to uprate
their machine to "Thruxton"
specification, however, the availability
was often disputed. Original "Thruxton"
Bonneville's are now highly prized collectors
items but the components required to convert
a standard "Bonnie" to Thruxton
specification are arguably more easily
acquired today than they were in the sixties.

Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.

1970 Triumph T120 Bonneville

The 1970 season machines marked the
end of an era for Triumph, being the final
year's production before the introduction
of the Umberslade Hall designed oil in
frame across both the BSA and Triumph
650cc ranges. Consequently changes to
the specification were very limited with
the adoption of the US style grab rail
being the most obvious, and no doubt,
welcomed amendment, at least by pillion
passengers. The "Bonnie" adopted
an "astral red" with silver
tank panels for the season, the panels
being more pronounced than previously
seen.

Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.

1971 Triumph Bonneville T120RV

This is a rare 1971 US bike believed to
be one of the first batch of 200 five speed
bikes exported to the US for homologation
purposes.

1972 Triumph Bonneville 650cc T120R

1971 saw the introduction of a considerably
revised range of twins from Triumph featuring
a new oil carrying frame designed at the
BSA/Triumph group's "think tank"
at Umberslade Hall. The styling was revised
to match, with abbreviated mudguards, wire
stays and headlamp brackets and megaphone
style silencers. A new twin leading shoe
front brake and slim-line front forks were
adopted.

1972 Triumph Bonneville 650cc T120

1973 Triumph T120R Bonneville

This original example of the T120R
is finished in "Tiger Gold and White",
a colour scheme that had been adopted
by the Bonneville in 1972 and is described
as being in "working" order.
It is equipped with a Boyer electronic
ignition system and Morgo oil pump and
has benefited from the carburettors being
overhauled and the cylinder heads reconditioned
and gas flowed.